J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours

With the sketchbook turned to the right is a study of soldiers at the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of the National Monument (see folio 22 verso; D17540). The procession to the monument was accompanied by Scot’s Greys and the 3rd Dragoons,1 and there was also a band whose uniform, recorded on folio 28 verso (D17552), is identical to that of the figure at the far left. The other four figures wear similar military jackets and hats with shoulder straps. The one at the right carries a flag as in folio 26 verso (D17548), and there are details of a badge or medallion and beneath it what may be a ‘red’ and ‘gold’ bag. The inscriptions seem to refer to the uniforms.